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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:15:51 GMT 1
 The Gum Ball · Episode 9 
Welcome back
As always, before we start, remember that we're not here to judge your taste in music, and that includes miss Gemma Collins. Everyone's entitled to their own and it's all subjective. We are only here to judge the choices you make as they relate to this competition and the challenges put before you.
Everyone will be recieving critiques. Enjoy
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:22:23 GMT 1
Pragma Tick · Alexa 
Kenya: Girl, that bubblegum pop song is pretty much what I was wanting from this. It’s cute, and most of all, it bops. Nicola’s song could be a bit more sugary in a way, but it’s what I was hoping a modern bubblegum song like this would be. Rush is cute, but her upper register is a bit too breathy for my liking. It’s nice, very serviceable, but in all honesty, the pinkness of the music video feels more like an accent colour than the main colour. I get more blue than pink in the main chorus, and only get pink towards the end, which is a chronic shame. Thyla is cute, serviceable, and I like it quite a bit. I just wished it went a bit further, because it feels like it’s missing something, but I can’t place my finger on it. All in all, not a stand out performance, but not one that’s overall bad.
Addison: I liked the different approach that you took to bubblegum pop, opting for something more modern is definitely something that could've backfired. I do think the song was quite terrible but in a camp, bubblegum kinda way, I was thoroughly entertained throughout. I don't want to hear it again but I appreciated the experience ❤️
I reaaaaaally liked your pink music video entry, it was just really captivating to me and the outro was unexpectedly gorgeous.
From every angle I look at this entry, it was a slay! Slay!
"Nice indie rock tune that you'd find somewhere between 10th and 20th place at a Fantasia final" sums up your third entry perfectly. In a nice way! It was really nice! I wasn't crazy for it, but it had nice touches to it and was definitely an original and enjoyable pick. Overall, a great showing from you with some very varied but high quality entries and also Nicola Roberts!
Olivia: Your first entry fit the theme but I'm sad to say that Miss Nicola's voice is just kinda grating to me. The song could've been cute with a different singer, although it was kinda basic overall so I don't know if it would've actually been better. But yeah, Nicola's voice just does not sound good to me and made the song worse.
I think you were a bit generous with the description of your pink entry, as the music video isn't just pink but also has equally large portions of blue and green. But I'm not going to be that pedantic, it was pink enough to fit the theme. After listening to the song I was... whelmed. It's a song that exists. A bit lackluster, I'm afraid, but still decent.
However, your gum entry was probably my favorite song of this category. It sounded really good, it fit the theme (duh) and it was an original choice. Nothing more to say really, good job for sending this!
In summary, a mixed batch of entries for you
Gemma: Wow! You surely have a potty mouth from what I've heard. And girl, let me tell you the truth tea. Your songs, they were cute, but at the same time, I feel like you could have done even better. To start off, your bubblegum song did goop me for all the wrong reasons. My jaw dropped to the floor. That pink music video was an illusion of boredom for three minutes until that gorgeous part around 3 minutes in. Honestly, you should have just timestamped it from there and I would have given you a ten. Your gum song on the other hand... you're right, this is exactly like a midtable Fantasia (derogatory) piece. But it's a piece that I think would warm to my heart and grow on me in the best way possible. It's not doing anything new, but I appreciate it. All in all, you did good! I'm keeping my eye on you.
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:29:45 GMT 1
Bitta Pill · Jhr 
Addison:
There's no hiding that you've had a bit of a bumpy ride over the last few weeks, and I really was rooting to see you return to your past form, but girl... what was this? Your entries started off alright, your bubblegum pop song was cute, pleasant, albeit unmemorable, but your other two...
You admit yourself that your pink music video was a stretch, but I think it was an entire gymnastics class because I think I saw about 3 seconds of the pink you were claiming to see, the rest of it just felt like red or purple. We saw more blue and white in this video than we did pink, and the song itself was once again pretty pleasant but nothing special for its genre so I really struggled to pick out any positives from this one.
And then we have your gum song. Honestly... again I think I could've applauded the creativity, bravery and vision if musically your choices held their own but this just feels straight up lazy to me. A fairly known artist with an... alright song that goes against the spirit of the theme? You needed to pick a struggle.
It really feels like you had absolutely no idea what to do with any of these challenges, you probably should've taken more of the time that was given to you to reflect upon whether these really were the best things you could've sent. What a shame.
Olivia: Interesting choices dear. I can't say you didn't take a risk this week. Did the risk pay off? Long story short, no it didn't. But let's go through your songs one by one.
Your bubblegum pop song was cute, it definitely fit the theme, but it was kinda forgettable. I feel like I've heard many similar and better songs of this genre. This was your best entry though.
The pink entry was also cute. I wish I could say something like "yass this was so atmospheric, I was vibing, it gave me the fantasy" but this just didn't quite hit the nerve for me. I was bored and it doesn't seem like you learned from my critique that I gave you last week.
Then we have your "gum" entry and mama... Is it crack? I can see that the struggle is real and that you didn't find any actual gum entry and had to resort to this but that's not a proper excuse I'm afraid, especially since the song isn't even that good. Some more optimistic people might give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you were "thinking outside the box" but naur. naur naur naur. Not on my watch. This is the Gum Ball and I wanted real gum.
All in all, this video summarises my opinion of your songs very well:
Gemma: When I heard that Chase Icon made her appearance in the competition and that YOU sent her, I had to drop my jaw in awe. The big-brainedness exuding from you was second to none. And then I heard it went downhill. And I can see that, clearly. Your bubblegum song gripped me like a torpedo for the first twenty seconds, but by the end of it, my head was spiralling into a sense of disbelief. That's your midpoint. Your LOW point, and by LOW I mean ridiculously low point this week for me was this pink music video. You tried to half bullshit me like Coal O'Ral with your 'deep pink'. No babes, that is RED and PURPLE, plain and simple. I saw pink for like what? Twenty seconds. And a lyric video??? Get rid. Your gum song on the other hand... Perfection. I loved the way you took this challenge literally and gave us a song with GUM in the title. Honestly you were close to a ten for that alone. And this album track from SAL... so good, those heartstrings pulled me and whipped my luscious locks all the way to the Northvision (derogatory) hosting room. Well done for your work, I commend you, but that music video made you look suspicious.
Kenya: More Today Than Yesterday is quintessential 70s bubblegum with that jazzy influence that I love. It just sucks that I can’t stand the main vocalist’s upper register in the chorus. I’m Japanese, so I know and adore nasally vocals, but mama, that was too much even for me. It’s really upsetting because the verses are gorgeous. Besides that, it’s really nice. Hammock’s song is so good, easily the best of the week. It’s just a shame that this mv is red. Point blank dot com. To make pink, you mix red and white. This “pink” is so deep it feels like there is no white mixed in it. I hate this so much because I want to give you the praise this song warrants but you completely missed the assignment on this song. Now, I admire the creativity and gall it took to send this Sleeping At Last song. It’s definitely taking a more unique approach, and this risk was one that I appreciated. Of the swings you took this week, this one was the only one that really connected for me.
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:35:23 GMT 1
Gigi Welplade · Ste 
Olivia: Mickey is such a catchy whopper and probably the best bubblegum pop song of the week. It's not the most original entry I would say, but I still appreciated listening to it.
Your pink music video was really nice, I enjoyed watching it. The song is good too, maybe not fully my cup of tea, but still a positive effort overall.
Then we get to your last entry and well... It's not bad but kinda bland? It's not very memorable in my opinion, it's kinda just there. It didn't bother me, but it also didn't make me want more, you know what I mean? It was just fine.
All in all, you had a good set of songs. You didn't completely knock it out of the park, but you did well enough.
The GC: Well if it isn't the trade of the season. I've got to say girl... I love your look and everything you're giving me. From the hair to the dress, I could even suggest that you'd be my protégé. That's the good stuff. Let's move on to actually critiquing you and your work. "Hey Mickey" More like heyyyy Gigi, that was honestly.... so good. I feel like your song fit the bubblegum theme the most out of everyone here, but I'm not an expert to be fair. Either way though, my hips did indeed shake. Your pink music video, I really appreciated the R&B vibe you were going for, even if I was scared for George to appear on the track, but it was fine. It wasn't fully PINK so much as it was pink colour palette, and I had to respect it.
Now. The negative.
Girl what the fuck were you thinking with that Cian Ducrot song??? I thought that you would knock this out of the park, knowing the access you have to the production's materials, but you decide to give us what was in my view the worst song of the week?? And by an IRISH artist too? My head was held in shame. From the visuals of the song to this progression.. anyone could tell you that this song really would be the opposite of what I'm looking for. It's a shame, because I think and I know that you're talented and unique. Keep up the good work!
Kenya: Mickey gives me everything I wanted. Camp, sugary, and has that infectivity that I associate with the style. It’s saur good. You Could Be has that pink fantasy that I needed in my life, and the song itself sounds so pink too. I’m not a huge fan of that high-pitched synth arpeggio that features in the chorus, but all in all, a very pink and smart choice for this challenge. Now Cian… girl what the fuck is this? It’s mediocre without anything notable to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack. I hate this so much. This makes me want to rescind all praise I gave you for the other two songs that I gave you. Don’t ever pull this shit with me, you hear?
Addison: Mickey wasn't a particularly inspiring choice, but it probably fitted the theme the best of the four entries and is a bit of a whoppa (4 minutes of it is a bit of a slog that I never wish to endure again but I will interpret this as an anti-capitalist anti-consumerist statement from Toni Basil or something mmkay).
Your pink music video entry wasn't as good as I was hoping it'd be from the start, but I did still quite enjoy it, it's the type of music that just works for me so I was bopping and lightly moving throughout. It was good!
...and then we have your gum entry.
I really did try hard to enjoy this. Appreciate this. You wanted to deliver us Irish flavour but I fear you only brought half of that prompt to the table. Where is the flavour? This was gum that I shall not be chewing again, thank YEW. Not your finest hour but not a complete disaster, so there's that!
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:40:12 GMT 1
Cher Noble · Agni 
Gemma: Hi girl. I tried to google this place called Akmenishkes, and I got no results. I then found out that there were only results on the Lithuanian wikipedia, which is valid. I love the fact that you're repping Lithuania as Cher Noble. Commendable. Let's start with your bubblegum pop song. it was fine, but I don't know who the fuck the Singstar's 70s is and why they lied to you. This is NOT bubblegum pop. This is sunshine pop. My jaw dropped to the floor when I found out this claim. Perhaps your dictionary mixed up the definitions? idk... anyway. Your PINK music video??? GLAMOUROUS!! That song was so good and I was moving like I was feeling my inner dominatrix fantasy with this. The colour palette though? Objectively. Not Pink. And I had to drag you for that a bit, I fear. The colours? Honey that was deep purple and I wasn't having none of it. Let's talk about your gum song. It's not that inspired. In fact, I would say that Nina Nesbitt would have held her head in shame. BUT!!! The song is very good. My hips swayed and this kind of was telling me a story from start to finish where the GUM actually felt like it had a place in the story. The GUM was Vendredi sur Mer rewinding her life and honey your competitors should walk you in to a Race Around The World rewind because you are somme HOT stuff. That returning gag though??? Kenya sis, you eat me up every time!!
Kenya: This bubblegum song, I heard the first few seconds, and knew this shit was gonna be stuck in my mind for the rest of the month. Thanks asshole. Real shit tho, this is a very bubblegummy song, and I like it a good bit. Shame it’s one of the most obvious choices when going for a 70s bubblegum song. I ain’t gonna clock it too much on that though. L$D has the same issue I have with Hammock, as in that it’s giving me more red than pink, but at least this one has pink in the video. This is a certified bop and I can’t really talk that much shit about it. I mean, it’s now in my playlist so... Now, miss Vendredi sur Mer. This song is what got me hooked on her. It’s by far your best song this week, but I have to knock it down a bit for it being one that YOU sent to FC. This was absolutely manhandled there, but how many times do we need to mention this??
Addison: I am in awe of the way in which you have risen from the KSR ashes!
While there are sources that dispute the status of Build Me Up Buttercup as a bubblegum pop song, it worked pretty well for me all in all and was probably my favourite of the four bubblegum pop songs musically. I have no idea what you mean by hooba booba extra long but like I get the vision, I saw your soul and I liked it!
LSD was definitely fun, when it started I was expecting to be slain and then it fizzled out a bit, but yeah I do think it was a fun entry that again worked well enough for the challenge.
I have said over and over again that I don't mind seeing other contest songs sent here if it is for a purpose, and if musically it is worth it, and musically Vendredi sur Mer had the best song of the week without a shadow of a doubt in my eyes so to me this WAS worth the send, and worked miracles for you. Great job again!
Olivia: The bubblegum pop song was lovely! It's a very accurate execution of the challenge and the song was nice too! Not the biggest whopper ever, but cute!
Moving on to LSD. Definitely I thought it was fun, I like the beat, so... It was decent, it bopped a bit, but just a bit, because it was also kinda flat.
Your gum entry makes me want to quit the judging panel because I've told queens again and again to not make me listen to former NVSC/FC/DSR entries. You not only did that, but even sent a song that you yourself sent to the contest? A song that frankly deserved the result it got in the first place? Enough said, I believe.
Overall this was an okay bunch of songs, not amazing, not terrible. I expected a bit more from you, since you did great in the last three weeks, but oh well.
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:42:33 GMT 1
Results
Cher, did Vendredi's gum get stuck on your shoe?
You are safe. You will be advancing to the final.
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:44:31 GMT 1
Results
Bitta, we asked for pink and you gave us red
I'm sorry, but you are up for elimination.
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Post by Chante™ on Mar 4, 2022 19:47:22 GMT 1
Results
Pragma, clearly the cat's out of the mixed bag
Gigi, how badly did Cian sabotage you?
Pragma Congratulations you are the winner of this challenge.
You've won a wet sock of quarters to use at any gumball machine you want
Gigi, I'm sorry, but this means you are up for elimination.
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More like heyyyy Gigi, that was honestly.... so good. I feel like your song fit the bubblegum theme the most out of everyone here, but I'm not an expert to be fair. Either way though, my hips did indeed shake. Your pink music video, I really appreciated the R&B vibe you were going for, even if I was scared for George to appear on the track, but it was fine. It wasn't fully PINK so much as it was pink colour palette, and I had to respect it. 